Black Guillemot

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Habitat and behaviour

Habitat: Rocky coasts; sheltered firths.
Diet: Fish, crustaceans.
Best time to spot: Bright red feet, white wing-patch.

When to look

Resident in the UK, so it can be found year-round. Numbers peak in May. See the May birding guide for what else is about. More on the season in British seabirds.

Taller bars mean more birds about. Grey means it is usually absent.

How rare is it?

The Black Guillemot sits in our Uncommon tier for the UK: regular, but you usually need the right place or the right season. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Common EiderUncommon · Rocky coasts
• Eurasian Rock PipitUncommon · Rocky coasts
• European ShagUncommon · Rocky coasts
• Arctic TernUncommon · Northern coasts (summer)
• Common GoldeneyeUncommon · Lakes
• Audouin's GullEpic · Mediterranean coasts

Kit that helps

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